Spring practice #6
For the fourth consecutive practice, the Warriors were in full pads, with the 2-hour-plus practice concluding with a 34-play scrimmage.
The highlights:
> Defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii made a crushing backfield tackle on Ryan Tuiasoa for a 3-yard loss, then ended the scrimmage when he recovered a fumble on a botched flea-flicker play.
> Running back Paul Harris, who gained 4 pounds of muscle during the offseason, powered his way for a 30-yard gain on a trap play up the middle. Harris also was impressive in the one-on-one Oklahoma drill, answering cornerback Cameron Hayes’ challenge by scoring on three consecutive runs.
> Keelan Ewaliko, who has recovered from a knee injury, and Dylan Collie caught scoring passes in the scrimmage.
> It’s still early but the No. 1 offensive line in the first six practices is moving the chains. Here’s the group: Left tackle Dejon Allen, left guard Leo Koloamatangi, center John Wa‘a, right guard Asotui Eli and right tackle RJ Hollis.
> Malachi Mageo stepped in for an ailing Dany Mulanga and had a solid scrimmage at strong-side linebacker.
> Dejaun Butler made a smooth transition to free safety.
On to the 3-on-3 version of the Oklahoma drills:
Ryan Tuiasoa video
Steven Lakalaka video
John Ursua video
* * * * * *
Alumni month continues with …
first!
ST-Love the Video’s
Today’s practice was fun to watch. I like it that they moved the Okie drills to the middle sideline so the fans could really feel the enthusiasm and hear the hits. I thought Jalen Rogers and Damien Packer really showed great tackling.
Always good to see alumni coming back and showing their support. Credit to Rolo for creating and encouraging that welcoming atmosphere. I encourage all of you to go out and attend these practices and meet up with our warrior alums.
Went to watch today’s practice. Let me say this about that: AWESOME!!!
Such energy and passion from the players and the coaches. This is definitely a different vibe. Suffice to say the team looked great with the offense looking a little ahead of the defense, but to see the way Lempa ran the show, you can tell the “D” will show up big.
We have a lot of skill at RB, reciever and QB. I hope the coaches can make use of all the talent, both sides of the ball.
I am the eternal optimist, but I gotta tell ya, I loved what I saw.
I hope the blog host will post one of the pics I took of him in action. Barely three months outta open heart, and the Iron Sporsts Writer was there, doin what he always does. Mahalo Stephen.
GO WARRIORS!!!
The Iron Sports Writer* I don’t know where “Sporsts” came from but it mightta been cuz I was so excited.
Great Afternoon All!
Nice pics and video. Looks like some nice progress is being made in green Manoa valley.
Cal spring practice reportedly has five qbs still fighting to be starter.
But giant 6’8″ left tackle, Aaron Cochron, looks impressive, they say.
And backfield is loaded with running back talent.
http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/99252/california-golden-bears-release-first-2016-depth-chart
Dang it. Two more leaving. The NCAA sucks! Yes I blame them…
#9
I don’t mean any disrespect, but I don’t think you can blame the NCAA for the last two. I know Jovanovic said it was so he could have another shot at the post season again, but look at the school he is transferring to. I think the post season excuse was just that, an excuse.
In regards to Niko, it seems he is just done with basketball. So why stay?
While I definitely wish them well in their futures, I don’t necessarily know how much they will be missed on the court. Well, Jovanovic’s size will be missed.
Can’t blame them for leaving, and in this case, can’t really blame the NCAA either.
Maddog50, you asked about Luke Clements. This might answer your question. It seems the current OL 2s are: LT Mstt Norman, LG Arona Amosa, C Fred Ulu-Perry, RG Eperone Moananu and RT Austin Webb. Luke practiced at LG but is not on the first two teams. LG Elijah Tupai is rehabbing an injury, so Leo Koloamatangi is with the 1s at LG. I also did not see DE Jeremy Castro. Rashaan Falemalu is rehabbing an injury. So is Kory Rasmussen.
Some additional observations from today’s practice:
– Forgot to mention this last week. At the end of practice, as soon as Coach Rolo gathers up the team, the first thing he has them do is turn to the hill and say thank you to crowd who came out to watch practice. Really good size crowd today. Looked like a youth team attended and Coach Rolo had the whole youth group come out and break the team huddle at the end of practice…pretty cool.
– The O really looked like it stepped up from last week. Same rotation with the QBs on drills, 7s, and 11s with 15, 11, then 16. That order seems to look right as of now. All three made some good plays, and all three made some not so good plays, but all three are definitely looking better over time.
– The 1s at WR today were 14, 23, and 80. 45 also getting a lot of run, but dropped a sure TD today. First drop I’ve seen from him as he looks to be pretty damn skilled in the slot (he was running with the 1s last week). 11 personnel seems to be the base formation (7 is obvious starter), but saw couple snaps with 10 personnel today…haven’t seen that in a loooonnnggg time.
– 2nd team OL today was 72, 76, 64, 66, 73. Looked pretty good. Amazing to see how much weight 73 has lost. I think 70 was running with the 3s, but tweaked something during drills. 70 looks like work in progress with both body and skills.
– 96 again making plays today. Probable starters appear to be dispersed between the 1s and 2s. A starting front four of 55, 54, 90, and 96 would not be a surprise. 75 hasn’t been in pads, but would guess that he’d be in conversation for other starting DT position. Can’t forget about 94 too. We actually seem to have some decent depth at DT. Young guys running with the 1s today included 38 and 99. These guys definitely look to be in the rotation. The 1s at LB were 44, 31, and 38 (in place of 40 from last week, as Stephen noted). 27 appears to be the backup mike…no longer looks like the skinny safety from Campbell. 2 and 90 were the most obvious starters running with the 2s.
– Coach Lempa’s recent interviews have voiced most concern with the back 4, as he appears to feel pretty good about the front 7. 39 still not in pads, but hopefully can get back by training camp. 15 looks to be locked in at one safety. 19 and 24 running on the outside with the 1s today.
Had a blast at practice today!
Such energy, such passion!
Had a chance to speak with Stutz. He said they are super pleased with the passion of the players. It shows. Stutz is doing such a great job with the offense and the qb’s. He has drive and determination. He said coaching here is a dream come true for him. I have every confidence he will do well.
I’m pumped! LIVE ALOHA, PLAY WARRIOR!
To de-code the above post’s player numbers (http://hawaiiathletics.com/roster.aspx?path=football&):
#15 Zwhalen
#11 Woolsey
#16 Reilly
14 Marcus Kemp
23 Dylan Collie
80 Ammon Barker
45 John Ursua
72 Matt Norman
76 Arona Amosa
64 Fred Ulu-Perry
66 Eperone Moananu
73 Austin Webb
70 Luke Clements
96 David Manoa
55 Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea
54 Penitito Faalologo
90 Kennedy Tulimasealii
75 Kory Rasmussen
94 Ka‘aumoana Gifford
38 Malachi Mageo
99 Zeno Choi
44 Russell Williams, Jr.
31 Jahlani Tavai
40 Dany Mulanga
27 Solomon Matautia
2 Jerrol Garcia-Williams
39 Trayvon Henderson
15 Daniel Lewis Jr. (DB)
19 Jalen Rogers
24 Jamal Mayo
kev-1: Would there have been a mass exodus of our key players if Yanks had stayed? Yes I know he was on track to graduate along with Valdez but Yanks did say one of the deciding factors was the post season issue. If the NCAA had left the post season intact, there was a chance the nucleus would have returned for another run. Ganot could have brought in a few guys instead of being tasked with a total rebuild.
H-Man, thanks for the update. Norman is bigger and needed to be. Webb coming along or so it appears Clement is far down the list-thought Hensley would be in the mix–things change so we’ll see how it plays out-
Good Job to the boys, Coach Rolo, and Staff
keep up the good work.
My Family and I got our season tickets! did you!?!
“paepae hou ia ka pohaku no ke kahua hale hou.”
(Re-solidifying the foundation for the new house.)
#DefendPrideRock #DefendHawaii #playwarrior #LiveAloha #Hanapaa
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